Head of Aviation - Airline Partnerships & Engagement

Description

The Aviation Team sits at the heart of Heathrow's growth agenda, protecting and growing more than £2bn of aeronautical income, strengthening Heathrow's position as the UK's hub airport and developing the strategic airline partnerships that enable sustainable passenger, network and revenue growth.  

The Head of Aviation – Airline Partnerships & Engagement is accountable for leading Heathrow's strategic relationships with a significant proportion of the airport's airline customer base, representing approximately half of Heathrow's operational slot portfolio. The role plays a critical leadership position in shaping Heathrow's aviation growth agenda, protecting long-term enterprise value and strengthening Heathrow's position as the UK's leading international gateway.  

Working closely with the Aviation Director and senior leaders across Heathrow, the role develops strategies and cultivates senior partnerships with our airline customers that influence capacity deployment, commercial performance and customer outcomes. 

Responsibilities

• Lead Heathrow's strategic relationships with key airline customers, alliance groups and industry stakeholders, influencing long-term commercial, operational and network decisions that support Heathrow's growth objectives.  
• Lead complex, high-value discussions with airline executives, balancing commercial, operational, regulatory and reputational.  
• Shape Heathrow's aviation strategy through insight into airline market developments, competitive dynamics, alliance priorities and emerging industry trends, providing strategic advice and recommendations to senior Heathrow leadership that embeds voice of the customer into our decision-making.  
• Establish the standard for airline account intelligence, ensuring robust commercial, operational and strategic insights are generated and leveraged to inform business decisions and investment priorities.  
• Own and continuously evolve Heathrow's Airline Engagement Strategy, establishing governance, measures of success and enterprise-wide engagement frameworks that drive consistency, improve organisational effectiveness and strengthen customer advocacy across the business. 

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading strategic customer, commercial or partnership portfolios within aviation or similarly complex, customer-centric and regulated industries.  
• Deep understanding of airline business models, network economics, commercial drivers and industry challenges.  
• Demonstrated experience influencing executive-level stakeholders and leading negotiations involving significant commercial, operational or strategic value.  
• Strong commercial acumen with a track record of delivering sustainable growth, value creation and successful strategic partnerships.  
• Proven ability to shape business strategy and deliver organisational outcomes through influence across complex matrix environments.  
• Experience operating at the intersection of commercial, operational, regulatory and political considerations, exercising sound judgement in complex and ambiguous environments.  

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